Friday, March 4, 2011

Today in the News Media

Today in the News Media is a synopsis of some of the most prominent coverage of OSU people and programs. Inclusion of any item constitutes neither an endorsement nor a critique, but rather is intended only to make the OSU community aware of significant items in the media.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture deputy secretary is visiting university campuses in Portland and Corvallis to talk about nutrition and a federal initiative called “Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food.”

Hybrid poplar tree leaves might contain the ingredients for the biodegradable plastics of the future. Researchers Steven Strauss and Ganti Murthy of Oregon State University are using a grant from the Built Environment and Sustainable Technologies Center (BEST) to explore if this might be feasible in hybrid poplar trees grown in the Pacific Northwest.

Dawn Wright, a professor of geosciences at Oregon State University, has been chosen as one of 20 Leopold Leadership Fellows for 2011, a program for environmental scientists to enhance their skills in communicating science to developers of policy, decision makers and the public.

Loren Davis of Oregon State University in Corvallis points out that the team also found Clovis-like spearheads on the islands: he says that tools he has dug up on the North American mainland look nearly identical to some of the ones Erlandson and his team found.

She’s not an apparel design major, but when Oregon State University freshman Emily Johnson learned about the upcoming Recycled Fashion Show, she knew she had to contribute something. For Thursday evening’s show in OSU’s Memorial Union Ballroom, Johnson created two dresses: one used Skittles wrappers, and one with red, purple and white ribbons she’d won when she was a child, showing sheep as a member of 4-H. She also modeled both of her garments.

A researcher at Oregon State University and her team has published one of the most detailed genetic analyses ever done on morels or mushrooms, to help identify their ancestry, show how they evolved and what conservation policies may be needed to manage and protect this valuable resource.

Former state Sen. Avel Gordly, the first African American woman elected to the Oregon Senate, recently published a memoir charting a very different trajectory. It begins, smack, on the floor. “My dad let my sister and me know that we were not to question him or ask ‘why?’ about anything,” Gordly writes in the first chapter of “Remembering the Power of Words” (published by the OSU Press).

Bats are not the rabid, hair-tangling vampires they are made out to be. “For many years, fear and ignorance have led humans to kill large numbers of bats,” said Nancy Allen, a faculty member in the Department of Fisheries and Wildlife at Oregon State University. “In addition, bats have lost much of their habitat and suffered from the use of pesticides.”

Today

Color your world with nutrition! This week in the MU Quad, stop by for free food, games, prizes, nutrition education and more, all under the big tent. The event takes place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Special guests include First Alternative Co-op, Bob’s Red Mill and Dave’s Killer Bread. Also check out the “Color your plate” themed meals at campus dining locations, including Pangea and e cafe.

It’s First Friday and lunch is planned for you at the University Motor Pool in Corvallis. Come celebrate the end of a successful Food Drive. They will be serving Subway sandwich platters with a variety of meat and vegetarian options along with potato salad for the first 100 people–and probably more. All the food for this casual event provided by the staff and generous donors so bring a friend and drop by at your convenience between 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Donations accepted at the door.

Come to the Pride Center’s Show Your Pride RecycleMania Craft Party at 3 to 5 p.m. at the Pride Center (15th & A). Show your pride by rainbow tie dying a reused item of clothing and creating custom stickers (made from scraps from the OSU Sign Shop) for your water bottle, bicycle, or whatever else you want! You bring one or more items of clothing to dye and we’ll provide the rest!

Oregon State University’s noon concert series, Music à la Carte, is finishing off winter term with a special evening concert, titled “Dinner in the Commons with OSU Glee,” at 6 p.m. in the Memorial Union Commons. Admission is free. While dinner is not provided, food can be brought into the commons and restaurants in the MU will be open for business.

Sunday

March Madness: a Descent into Darkness takes place on Sunday, March 6. It features students from the OSU Opera Workshop, along with faculty guest artist tenor Nicholas Larson, in scenes from Albert Herring, The Old Maid and the Thief, Gianni Schicchi, and La Serva Padrona. Stage direction is by Marion Rossi and Elizabeth Helman. The music director is Tina Bull and the pianist is Elizabeth Atchley. Performances of March Madness: a Descent into Darkness are on Sunday, March 6 at 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. in Benton Hall, Rm. 202 on the OSU campus. Tickets are available at the door. General admission is $10, student tickets are $5. The event is free to OSU students.

Upcoming events

NEW! Teachers Night Out on Tuesday, March 8, features soprano Janet Hackett, mezzo sopranos Megan Sand and Nicola Nine-Zielke, tenor Nicholas Larson, and baritone Richard Poppino in works by Mozart, Schumann, Tosti, Resphighi, Copland, Rorem, Chausson, Bizet, and others. The pianist is Elizabeth Atchley. The string quartet consists of violinists Jessica Lambert and Kim Collar, violist Abigail Stoughton, and cellist Ann Grabe. The concert is a benefit for Friends of OSU Opera and will help make possible additional events such a recital in May by mezzo soprano Angela Niederloh and baritone Matthew Hayward, as well as a fully staged opera in the Majestic Theatre in April 2012. The site of Teachers’ Night Out is the First Congregational Church, 4515 SW West Hills Rd in Corvallis. The program begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 general admission/$5 for students/free to OSU students with ID. Tickets are available at the door.

Workplace Bullying: Blueprint for a Healthy Workplace. Three lectures will be held Tuesday, March 8 at LaSells Stewart Center Austin Auditorium. All lectures are free. 9 to 11 a.m.: Workplace Bullying: Support is Not Servility – Classified / Non-Academic employees. 1 to 3 p.m., Bullies in the Academe: Brittle, Brutal, Abusive, – Faculty and Students. 7 to 9 p.m.: Workplace Bullying: the Silent Epidemic – Community presentation – open to the public. Gary Namie will be presenting these lectures. Namie is founder and spokesperson for the US Workplace Bullying movement. Sponsored by Offices of the President and Provost, Office of Community & Diversity, President’s Commission on the Status of Women.

Lectures/seminars

NEW! Assistant Professor of Anthropology Bryan Tilt, author of the book “The Struggle for Sustainability in Rural China: Environmental Values and Civil Society,” will discuss pollution in China’s rural industrial sector and its implications for the environment and community health. Drawing on recent ethnographic research in an industrial township in rural Sichuan Province, he explores how community members understand the linkages between air and water pollution from nearby factories and their health and well-being, and how they focus on the mobilization of civil society to address industrial pollution and its health effects. Thursday, March 10, 7 p.m., Corvallis/Benton County Public Library.

News for Employees

NEW! In May, 29 students from Bunkyo University in Japan who are spending Spring term at OSU studying English with INTO-OSU, will be seeking a weekend homestay. The homestay is an opportunity for them to experience American family life. There are two weekend opportunities for hosting, May 13-15 and May 20-22. The weekends start on Fridays at 5 p.m. and end on Sundays at noon. For more information go to http://oregonstate.edu/uhds/homestay or call 541-737-8754.

The 2011 OSU Building Energy Challenge has come to a close! Congratulations to Bexell Hall, Withycombe Hall, Kelley Engineering, and Property services for winning their category! Detailed savings analysis is still underway, but overall, participating buildings reduced their use of energy by over 15,000 kWh of electricity, 250,000 lbs of steam and 350 therms of natural gas, which totals over $6,000! Thanks to everyone who participated and helped reduce OSU’s energy consumption! Please take a moment to fill-out thefollowing survey on the Challenge; it will help us improve for future years as well as hear your ideas on ways OSU can continue to keep saving energy.

The Lewis Leadership Award is designated for Facilities Services (FS) employees who have demonstrated leadership qualities in their work at OSU. The award process was developed by a grass roots FS committee to recognize an employee whom embodies the spirit of “leadership at every level”. This could have been exhibited by a single event, or by sustained performance. The award is presented to the employee at FS’s All-Hands Meetings. The employee receives a cash award as well as other kudos. Nominations must be received by 1 p.m. Monday March 7. To submit a nomination for the Lewis Leadership Award see http://oregonstate.edu/ehs/sites/default/files/webform/nominate.html

Registrations are filling up fast for the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition’s annual Town Hall, Wed., March 9, at the CH2MHill Alumni Center. The event includes a Sustainability Fair from 5-7 p.m. with more than 50 hands-on exhibits highlighting the sustainability efforts of local businesses, organizations, and Coalition action teams, and a town hall from 7-9 p.m. focused on action toward sustainability. Locally-sourced music and snacks provided! Free and open to the public, but space at the town hall meeting is limited. Register by March 7 at www.sustainablecorvallis.org. The OSU Sustainability Office is helping sponsor this event; OSU is a Corvallis Sustainability Coalition partner organization.

Celebrate Women’s History Month with the University Archives! In celebration of Women’s History Month, the University Archives invites you to view a small exhibit documenting the extraordinary lives of seven women who attended or worked at OSU. Location: 3rd Floor of the Valley Library, University Archives, Display Case. Dates: March 1st – 31st. Find out more on the OSU Archives Blog Post and check out the Digital Collection in Flickr. For more information contact: Natalia Fernández, Oregon Multicultural Librarian, and visit the University Archives . The OSU Libraries’ University Archives is the repository for records that document OSU’s history. Collections include items of enduring value generated by faculty, academic departments, administrative offices, students, and campus organizations.

The Research Office is now accepting applications for the General Research Fund (GRF) Spring 2011 solicitation. Applications are due in the Research Office byMonday, March 7. The complete program description, application materials and proposal criteria may be accessed on the Research Office web site: http://oregonstate.edu/research/incentive/grf.htm. If you have any questions, please contact Debbie Delmore at (541) 737-8390 or debbie.delmore@oregonstate.edu.

The OSU Association of Office Professionals (AOP) will award at least one $500 scholarship based on achievement and potential for the 20011-12 academic year. To qualify, applicants must be a full time Oregon State University student with sophomore, junior or senior standing at the time of application with at least one full year of undergraduate studies remaining during the 2011-12 academic year, and have a major or declared minor in the College of Business, or regardless of major, have a parent or legal guardian who is a member in good standing in the OSU Association of Office Professionals. Applications are available from the Financial Aid Office, Student Involvement, College of Business, any college with a business minor or from the applicant’s academic advisor. A completed application, three current letters of recommendation and a current unofficial transcript must be submitted by today to Maureen Childers, Disability Access Services, 200 Kerr Administration Bldg, Corvallis, OR 97331 or e-mail to maureen.childers@oregonstate.edu.

Jobs

The Department of Graduate Student Financial Support and Recruitment invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 12-month, fixed-term Director position. To review this posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs and search for posting 0007001. Closing date: March 22.

Oregon State University, Facilities Services Department, is seeking an experienced Campus Planner. This is a full-time, 12-month position starting at $41,000/year + benefits. Must currently be a Planner, Architect, Landscape Architect or professional in a related field. Requires a Bachelor’s degree as described in the job posting announcement. A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity is preferred. For complete announcement including minimum qualifications and application process, visit http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/. Job Posting #0006962. Closing Date: March 8. OSU is an AA/EOE.

OSU Student Affairs Research and Evaluation is accepting applications for a 12-month, half-time professional faculty position to coordinate the assessment and research efforts of this office. Position requires a master’s degree in student services, education, sociology, psychology, public policy or comparable field. To review complete posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Apply to posting #0007000. For full consideration applications should be received no later than 5 p.m. on April 15. Oregon State University is an AA/EEO employer.

Grant/Contract Coordinator: The Agricultural Sciences and Marine Sciences Business (AMBC) invites applicants for a full time (1.00 FTE), 12 month, classified Grant/Contracts Coordinator position. This is an internal search open to regular OSU employees only. To review posting and apply, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs/ posting #0007007. Closing date is Wednesday, March 16.

Administrative Program Assistant: The INTO OSU Program invites applications for an Administrative Program Assistant. This is a full-time, 12-month position. For more details and application instructions, go to http://oregonstate.edu/jobs. Posting # 0006993. Closing date March 7. OSU is an AA/EOE.

The University Honors College seeks a full-time Academic Advisor to join our advising team. The overall mission of the UHC is to provide an innovative, enriched learning experience and a small college atmosphere to motivated, capable students, integrating students from all academic colleges and departments into a cohesive community. The person in this position must have a bachelor’s degree, excellent communication skills, ability to give group presentations, and experience in an advising related field. For full details or to apply go to: http://oregonstate.edu/jobs, posting number: 0006983. Closing date March 24. OSU is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

The College of Education invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE) Office Specialist II position. This is an Internal Search, and is open to current, regular status OSU employees ONLY. Responsibilities include: Schedule of Classes liaison, Administrative support and Scholarship and Awards coordinator. For complete list of duties, qualifications and requirements and to apply go to: http://jobs.oregonstate.edu and search for posting # 0006952. Closing Date: March 14.

INTO Oregon State University is seeking a part-time employee to work in our Student Services department. This is a 20 hrs/week, temporary appointment through approximately July 8. What we’re looking for: An outgoing and energetic person who is excited to work with international students, adaptable to a variety of requested tasks, and able to work flexible hours. The ideal candidate will be highly organized, thorough, detail-oriented, able to manage projects and paperwork in an efficient and timely manner, and is friendly and relaxed with international students of varying English ability. Please respond with cover letter and resume to rhonda.maillard@oregonstate.edu. Compensation will be determined based on skills and experience. Posting closes on March 9 at midnight.

INTO Oregon State University is seeking an Academic Support Assistant. This position directly assists the Academic Support Manager and serves as a member of the Academic Support Team. Candidate must have above average Microsoft Excel skills to prepare and manipulate data within an excel spreadsheet or database. The duties of the Academic Support Assistant will include: 50 percent Student Attendance & Progress: Report Management & Coordination, 40 percent Program of Study Changes, Extensions and Withdrawals: Coordination, 10 percent Testing & Registration: Event Coordination & Assistance. A degree in Administrative or business related support or equivalent to two or more years of academic or administrative support is preferred. Please send cover letter and resume for immediate consideration to rhonda.maillard@oregonstate.edu.

Executive Assistant to the Vice President, for the Finance and Administration Division of Oregon State University. Position is full-time, 12-month, fixed-term. Responsibilities include: administrative support and project management, office coordination, and lead work. Salary is $55,000-65,000, with benefits. To review details and apply go to: http://jobs.oregonstate.eduand look at posting#0006974. Closing Date: March 14.

Oregon State University‘s University Housing & Dining Services (UHDS) is seeking a Multicultural Resource Coordinator. The person in this position is responsible for identifying and addressing the needs of students from underrepresented populations in collaboration with campus partners. The person in this position will work and report to the Marketing, Assessment, and Communications, and Diversity Unit as well as provide leadership to the Department’s Diversity Initiative. For complete list of qualifications and for full consideration, please submit a resume and cover letter that address the minimum and preferred qualifications by March 15 at http://oregonstate.edu/jobs Posting # 0006940. OSU is an AA/EOE.

OSU Extended Campus seeks a Web developer/designer to join our Market Analysis and Development team. The purpose of this position is, in coordination with the Lead Web Developer, to research, develop, deploy and evaluate new designs and technologies for OSU Extended Campus Marketing. This position will design, develop, test, implement, and maintain web and multimedia applications as needed. In coordination with the Lead Web Developer, this position may work with staff in all Ecampus units including other designers and programmers both within Ecampus and outside of Ecampus. Closes March 7. For more information or to apply, go to: http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=58045

OSU Extended Campus seeks a multimedia developer to join our Program Development and Training team. This position provides programming and multimedia support for the course needs of the online education and on-campus Oregon State University faculty. The analyst programmer works within the online education course development team to design and assemble the programming and media necessary to carry out the design plan as assembled by the instructional designer. This position assists in the design of support and production infrastructure for course development and delivery. Closes March 7. For more information or to apply, go to: http://jobs.oregonstate.edu/applicants/Central?quickFind=58043

The Department of Biomedical Sciences invites applications for a full-time (1.0 FTE), 9-month, tenure-track Assistant professor position in Mathematical Modeling of Disease. We seek a mathematical modeler with outstanding potential for developing an extramurally funded research program in chronic diseases. For further details of the position and to apply, visit http://oregonstate.edu/jobs; posting# 0006887. For full consideration, application must be received by April 1.

Weather

Corvallis: “I still am sore in doubt concerning Spring.” –Christina Rossetti. Today will be a bit drier than it’s been in the last week, with just a chance of rain this afternoon. However rain will return tonight, and there’s a chance of showers throughout the weekend. Today’s high will be 54 with an overnight low of 41.